I have just received word from the Director of Online Communications for the Democratic National Convention Committee that KnoxViews/TennViews has been selected as the official credentialed Tennessee blog for the August 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Part of the deal is that yours truly will be seated alongside the Tennessee delegation on the convention floor ("one of the best seats in the house") to live-blog the greatest political event in recent history.

"Similar to the record-breaking voter turnout our Party has seen during the primary season, the demand for these coveted blogger positions is yet another indicator of the tremendous interest in this historic Convention," said Governor Dean. "The Internet has played a critical role in connecting Americans to elected officials and candidates seeking office. The DemConvention State Blogger Corps will continue to foster this dialogue - in all 50 of our states and our territories too - as we head towards this year's historic election and elect a Democrat to the White House."

I'm so glad there will be "media" that will tell me what's going on without a bunch of crap. I guess the Democrats have some sense after all. If it's a convention fight, I'm sure you'll be on the winning side. Go Vols!

The way to do that is to seat people on the floor who are members of the online blogging community, and you'll get to give whatever reflections that you have about what your experience is, and people will presumably get in touch with you and post their own thoughts about what you are saying, so this is a terrific way for us to talk to the American people, and listen to them as well.

Now that sounds like I should fill the house with my Blount County progressive friends and we collectively can ask you questions as you blog. Actually, it sounds like a wonderful idea and the team is ready, swilling and able.

It's about time someone from Tennessee represented us with the kind of outlook we all treasure here. I'm sure it is an honor to know just how important this blog has become--a well deserved honor that's for sure! I can hardly wait to read your convention coverage.